One Symphony with Devin Patrick Hughes

By: Devin Patrick Hughes
  • Summary

  • A podcast that explores classical music’s relevance in our modern lives. Conductor Devin Patrick Hughes will share with you stories and conversations with musicians, composers, and artistic entrepreneurs that aim to unite us into one symphonic world. New episodes every other Monday.
    Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • Lucas Richman, Composing Music, Humanity, & Social Change
    Feb 10 2025

    In this episode of One Symphony, Devin Patrick Hughes interviews Lucas Richman, a Grammy winning composer and conductor, exploring his career and insightful perspectives on music and its role in society.

    Richman recounts his early exposure to music through composer biographies, sharing an anecdote about writing to Aaron Copland and receiving an encouraging postcard in return, which served as an early inspiration.

    The discussion moves to Richman's experiences with Leonard Bernstein, highlighting a masterclass on the Academic Festival Overture and the profound impact Bernstein had on his understanding of music and life. Richman emphasizes Bernstein's ability to infuse everything with love and teaching, noting his preference for discussing music with doctors rather than musicians due to their focus on the art rather than business.

    Richman discusses his approach to composition, emphasizing his commitment to bringing social issues and awareness into the concert hall. He describes his symphony inspired by Bernstein's words, "This will be our reply to violence is to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before," with movements embodying intensity, beauty, and devotion. He also discusses "The Warming Sea," a piece addressing climate change, and Paths to Dignity, a violin concerto inspired by the issue of homelessness. In Paths to Dignity, Richman musically portrays the word "dignity" using specific notes, aiming to create a conversation and raise awareness. He collaborated with Mitchell Newman, a violinist and advocate for the unsheltered community, to bring attention to the human stories behind homelessness.

    Richman reflects on his time as an assistant conductor, which instilled in him the importance of clarity and efficiency. He describes his experience conducting film scores for movies such as Seven and The Village, noting the collaborative nature of the work. Richman also shares his perspective on conducting his own music, expressing that others often bring fresh interpretations that he appreciates.

    Transitioning to the evolution of the conducting field, Richman acknowledges the influence of mentors like Daniel Lewis and Herbert Blomstedt, emphasizing the significance of respect, intent, and honesty. He expresses concern that some contemporary conductors prioritize showmanship over serving the music and fostering leadership skills.

    Turning to the role of a music director, Richman underscores the importance of community engagement, fundraising, and collaboration with the board and staff. He highlights initiatives such as streaming concerts, expanding educational programs, and forging relationships with local organizations. He also touches on his involvement in music education, including his piece Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant, which introduces children to classical music through imaginative characters.

    Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Special thanks to Lucas Richman for sharing his music and story.

    Musical selections from today’s episode:

    • Brahms: Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 (Live). Lucas Richman conducting.
    • The Warming Sea composed by Lucas Richman. Performed by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Divisi Women’s Choir, and the Bangor Area Youth Choir. Conducted by Jayce Ogren. Commissioned by the Maine Science Festival.
    • Excerpts from Concerto for Violin: Paths to Dignity composed and conducted by Lucas Richman. Featuring Mitchell Newman on violin and the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.
    • “The Gravel Road” from the film The Village. Composed by James Newton-Howard and conducted by Lucas Richman featuring Hillary Hahn on violin.
    • “Tikkun Olam (Heal the World)” from Symphony: This Will Be Our Reply. Text and music by Lucas Richman. Performed by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Richman. Featuring the Oratorio Society and University of Maine Singers under the direction of Francis John Voight.

    For more information on Lucas, see www.lucasrichman.com. You can always find more info at OneSymphony.podbean.com or DevinPatrickHughes.com, including a virtual tip jar if you’d like to support the show. Please feel free to rate, review, or share the podcast! Until next time, thank you for being part of the music.

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    48 mins
  • Thomas W. Morris, Symphonic connector from Seiji Ozawa to John Williams
    Jan 23 2025
    In this interview with Tom Morris, a veteran of orchestra management whose career included leadership roles with the Boston Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes provides a comprehensive look at the inner workings of orchestral institutions, the evolution of their management, and the crucial role of music in their success. Morris's journey from a percussionist to a top-level administrator offers a unique perspective, and his reflections provide valuable lessons for anyone interested in the performing arts. One of the most compelling aspects of the interview is Morris's discussion of how his musical background shaped his management philosophy. He emphasizes his deep understanding of musicians' lives, having experienced firsthand the challenges and demands of performing in an orchestra. This empathy enabled him to build trust with musicians and approach labor negotiations with a unique perspective. Morris’s belief that "ultimately these institutions are about the music" underscores the importance of passion and artistic integrity in organizational leadership. The episode also explores the historical evolution of orchestra management, particularly the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Morris recounts how, before the 1970s, the orchestra relied on simple postcards for subscription renewals. He explains that over the seventies and eighties, the percentage of the budget earned from ticket sales gradually fell. This shift necessitated the development of marketing and fundraising departments, leading to a significant increase in administrative staff. Morris shares fascinating insights about the Boston Pops, emphasizing that it was founded in 1885, before Arthur Fiedler became its 17th conductor in 1929. The Boston Symphony created the Pops to provide more employment for musicians and to perform lighter music for a broader audience. He discusses how the Boston Symphony transformed Symphony Hall into a "beer hall" to accommodate a more informal setting for the Pops concerts. He explains that in the early days the Pops sold blocks of tickets to community groups and did not have to focus on individual ticket sales. He also recounts how the popularity of Arthur Fiedler was enhanced even further by the "Evening at Pops" television series. Morris details the process of selecting John Williams as Fiedler's successor, explaining that Williams was chosen for his musical integrity and knowledge of the symphony orchestra. Furthermore, the interview addresses the crucial dynamic between management, the music director, and the board of directors, which Morris refers to as the "Bermuda Triangle.” Morris suggests that this structure can function perfectly if the right people are in those roles and are bound by a common vision. He also emphasizes that having a collaborative culture is essential, but that collaborative decision-making should be avoided. Morris stresses the importance of clear lines of authority and not settling for "good enough" when hiring. He also shares that when hiring he uses Jim Collins' three C's: competence, character, and chemistry. These points underscore the need for strong leadership and a shared vision in any successful organization. Morris also touches on the importance of thoughtful programming. He humorously mentions his collection of "dumb programs" and emphasizes the importance of carefully considering the combination of pieces in a concert. He contrasts examples of bad programming with one of his favorites, a concert he organized with Christoph von Dohnányi, which combined pieces by Ligeti, Wagner, and Bruckner. This conversation highlights that thoughtful artistic direction is an essential element in the success of an orchestra. Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Special thanks to Thomas Morris for sharing his life and leadership. You can pick up a copy of Always the Music: How a Lifelong Passion Framed a Future for Orchestras wherever you get your books. For a list of recordings played on today’s episode, please check out our show notes. You can always find more info at OneSymphony.podbean.com or DevinPatrickHughes.com, including a virtual tip jar if you’d like to support the show. Please feel free to rate, review, or share the podcast! Until next time, thank you for being part of the music. https://www.alwaysthemusic.com Featured Music All music selections for this episode feature the Boston Pops. Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48: Waltz. Conducted by Arthur Fiedler, from the album Fiedler: Greatest Hits. L'Arlésienne Suite No. 2: Farandole. Composed by Georges Bizet. Conducted by Arthur Fielder, from the album Fiedler: Greatest Hits. “Manhattan Skyline.” From the album Disco Inferno / Manhattan Skyline. Conducted by Arthur Fiedler. “I Got Rhythm, Embraceable You.” From the album Boston Pops Salutes Astaire, Kelly, Garland. Composed by George and Ira Gershwin. Conducted by John Williams. “Flying Theme” ...
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    54 mins
  • George S. Clinton, Composing from Rock to Austin Powers
    Jan 7 2025

    George S. Clinton is an award winning composer who has scored over 100 films, most notably “Austin Powers” !The Santa Clause”; “Mortal Kombat”; and the Emmy Award winning “Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee.”

    He began his professional music career as a singer/songwriter in Nashville writing for Tree Music and doing session work. Upon moving to LA, he became a staff songwriter for Warner Brothers Music, with songs recorded by the likes of Michael Jackson and Joe Cocker. It was the music from Clinton’s forth album as a recording artist that attracted the attention of Cheech and Chong, giving him the chance to score his first film “Still Smokin’”.

    Clinton has been an advisor at the Sundance Composers Lab, on the Music Executive Branch of The Oscars, and Chair of Film Scoring at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Awards include Grammy and Emmy nominations, the SCL Ambassador Award, and nine BMI Film Music Awards, including their highest honor, the BMI Icon Award for career achievement.

    Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Thanks to George S. Clinton for sharing his life and music. You can find more info on Rose of Sonora at Roseofsonora.com. For a list of recordings played on today’s episode please check out our show notes.

    You can always find more info at OneSymphony.org or DevinPatrickHughes.com including a virtual tip jar if you’d like to support the show. Please feel free to rate, review, or share the show! Until next time, thank you for being part of the music.

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    43 mins

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